Melissa Gilbert Reacts to Jason Bateman's "Little House on the Prairie" Hazing Story
Melissa Gilbert, known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder on "Little House on the Prairie," has responded to Jason Bateman's recent revelations about being hazed on set as a child actor. Bateman recounted his experiences in an interview, prompting a protective reaction from Gilbert.
Jason Bateman's Account of On-Set Hazing
Jason Bateman, who joined "Little House on the Prairie" in 1980 at the age of 11, shared a story on the "Hot Ones" show about being subjected to a hazing ritual by older actors. He described how they would hold him down and repeatedly hit him on the chest.
Bateman explained that he turned the tables on his tormentors by enlisting the help of the set makeup artist. He had her create a large bruise on his chest, which he then showed to the other children's parents, leading to consequences for those involved. "I said, ‘Look what your kids did.’ And that got them in trouble," said Bateman.
Melissa Gilbert's Response: Sisterly Defense
Melissa Gilbert, upon seeing the news of Bateman's experience on Instagram, reacted with a humorous yet protective message. She reposted the story on her own profile, writing: "Who? Who did this to you? I’m gonna kick their… nobody hits my little brother!" and added the hashtag #iwillcutabitch.
For Gilbert, the story resonated, especially since by the time Jason Bateman joined the show, her character, Laura, was already married to Almanzo Wilder, played by Dean Butler. Her response underscored a sense of protectiveness towards her former co-star.
Jason Bateman's Inspiration from "Little House"
In a previous interview on Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend, Jason Bateman reflected on how working on "Little House on the Prairie" inspired him to become a director. He was fascinated by the "magic trick of making fake life."
He also praised Michael Landon, who directed, produced, and starred in the series, describing him as a leader who was "easy with people, with the process, with the businesses… and a leader who knew how to be strict when he needed to. That was very inspiring." Bateman stated that Landon was someone that everyone loved on set.
Other Cast Members' Perspectives on Set Safety
While Jason Bateman shared his hazing experience, other "Little House on the Prairie" cast members have spoken about the safety and care they felt on set. Alison Arngrim, who played Nellie Oleson, said she "always felt that our crew took great care of us kids."
Matthew Laborteaux, who played Albert Quinn Ingalls, echoed this sentiment. "It was different than any set I had been on. They were protective, caring, and gave us a safe place to do our best. That was incredibly unusual," said Laborteaux, comparing the experience to that of a young athlete being guided with respect to perform their best.